Practical nutrition

Question 1

List the ‘four diets’ of a cow that should all be the same

Answer 1

Diet cows require
Diet formulated by nutritionist
Diet mixed by farmer
Diet received / eaten by the cows

Question 2

Describe a traditional feeding system for lactating cows

Answer 2

Silage at barrier & cake in parlour
Grazing in summer & cake in parlour

Question 3

Describe a total mixed ration feeding system for lactating cows

Answer 3

All food at barrier – 24 hours/day – ad lib
“complete diet”

Question 4

Describe a hybrid feeding system for lactating cows

Answer 4

Partial mixed ration at barrier & cake in parlour
Out of parlour feeders

Question 5

Which diet feeding system for lactating cows encourages maximal DMI?

Answer 5

Total mixed ratio ad-lib

Question 6

Which diet feeding system for lactating cows may lead to peaks of acidity after meals?

Answer 6

Traditional feeding

Question 7

What are the advantages of a hybrid feeding system for lactating cows?

Answer 7

• Accurate rationing
• Resources focused on peak yielding cows
• Can feed enough energy to very high yielders
• Doesn’t overfeed low yielders

Question 8

What are the disadvantages of a hybrid feeding system for lactating cows?

Answer 8

• if fed in the parlour they may eat less at the barrier = substitution
• if they eat less at the barrier they get less long fibre
• leads to less rumination and buffering of rumen
• SARA

Question 9

How can nutritional status be monitored?

Answer 9

BCS and observation
Milk quality
Biochemistry profiles

Question 10

List come correction factors for DMI

Answer 10

• Complete diet (TMR)
• Out of parlour feeder
• Mixed forages
• Breed
• Heifers with cows
• Self-feed silage
• Poorly preserved silage
• Week of lactation

Question 11

Describe factors to consider when assessing feed access

Answer 11

• Minimise stress / competition for feed and water
• Feed barrier or trough space vital
• 24 hour access